Author: KYMA

Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) says one person died in an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night.

According to a press release, it happened in the area of S. Avenue 12 E and 36th Place at around 7:22 p.m.

Upon arrival, YCSO says deputies were informed about the suspect, identified as 77-year-old Lewis Berne of Yuma, shooting a firearm outside his home and was making suicidal statements.

As deputies tried to de-escalate the situation, Berne was said to be “non-compliant to verbal commands” and was seen stepping in and out of the home while holding a handgun, which Berne refused to drop.

After Berne fired the handgun, YCSO says deputies shot him and performed life-saving measures before he was taken to Onvida Health where he later died.

YCSO says the Yuma Regional Critical Incident Response Team took over the investigation, with the deputies being placed on modified duty.

However, no other injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding the case, call YCSO at (928) 783-4427, 78-CRIME to remain anonymous, or visit YCSO’s website to submit an anonymous tip.

PR-2025-45-Officer-Involved-ShootingDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) has a new Sports Information Director.

Scott Gross will be promoting Matador Athletics by making play-by-plays for home games, reporting game statistics, updating rosters, managing sponsorships and sharing stories of local athletes.

Previously working for KYMA as a news anchor and sports director, Gross has nearly 30 years of journalism experience.

“I’m excited to be a part of Arizona Western College. Back in sports full time,” said Gross. “Arizona Western is one of the best colleges around when it comes to sports and campus culture. It’s an exciting time for Arizona Western and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Gross has earned several awards for reporting, including a Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy.

From us at KYMA, we wish Scott Gross the best in his new role!

To learn more about his new role, read the press release below.

AWC welcomes Scott Gross as new Sports Information DirectorDownload

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The City of Yuma’s Communication Team have earned several awards at the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony, held at Las Vegas, Nevada, had over 1,100 entries from government communication departments across the U.S.

The City of Yuma Communications Team earned the Savvy Award in Video for Charlemos Yuma, a Spanish-language outreach initiative. Judges at the ceremony said Charlemos Yuma was entertaining and inclusive, while balancing education with humor.

The other award was in the Digital Interactive category for City News Yuma Minute, a local news radio segment, which was called a “smart strategy and great outcome.”

“These awards highlight the City’s commitment to connecting with all residents in meaningful and accessible ways,” said Communications Manager Jen Miller. “I am proud of our team for always bringing creativity and a community first mindset to everything we do.”

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Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – A local business has been red-tagged and temporarily closed after law enforcement found drugs and multiple violations.

The Calexico Police Department (CPD) says VIP Adult Book Store and Arcade on Imperial Avenue and Fifth Street was red-tagged last week.

Officers say they received numerous complaints of drug use at the business — especially in the parking lot.

That’s when CPD, along with the Calexico Code Enforcement Division, conducted an inspection at the location.

“The Calexico Fire Department inspector also joined us for this business inspection. While we were doing the inspection, we located several subjects hanging out upstairs. We also located several methamphetamine pipes upstairs, and we located approximately 4.5 grams of methamphetamine that was packaged for sale,” said Jose Cuellar, CPD Detective.

The inspector also found construction violations that make the building unsafe.

Calexico police say no one has been arrested at this time.

Police say this case is still under investigation, and the store remains closed until code enforcement determines it is safe to reopen.

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Madeline Murray

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The suspect accused of killing his own brother was back in court Tuesday.

Their father shares his reaction with us for the first time. 

19-year-old Juan Figueroa is accused of running over his 17-year old brother, Javier Figueroa.

This happened after police say they got into a road rage fight with another person on Saturday night right by the Starbucks parking lot on Fourth Avenue and 15th Street.

During court, the judge denied to lower the bond amount, keeping it at $500,000.

We spoke with the father of the two brothers, Joseph Figueroa, who describes the devastation their family is going through.

“We’re just heartbroken, I mean my son, well he’s gone. I didn’t get to see him, my other one’s detained, I can’t see him. Right now, we all just need to be together as a family,” said Figueroa.

You can donate to the Figueroa family’s GoFundMe here.

 

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Marcos Icahuate

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – An event is planned to help locals find jobs.

The Yuma Community Job & Education Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at Arizona Western College, Schoening Center from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The public is invited to come out, with priority admission available for veterans, active military & spouses.

Free transportation is also provided by YCAT.

You can register here.

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Andrea Turisk

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A new grant will give Yuma County students a hands-on way to experience history and science.

The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) has received a National Park Foundation grant to fund its “Yuma Live History Adventures” program.

YCNHA says the all-expenses paid field trip is open every third through firth grade students in the county. 

The program takes kinds to the Territorial Prison, the Colorado River State Historic Park, and the Yuma East Wetlands.

The grant covers admission and transportation, making the experience accessible to all schools.

To learn more about this, read the press release below.

2025-26 OOK Press ReleaseDownload

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Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona’s minimum wage will rise to more than $15 an hour starting Jan. 1, marking the first time it will pass that threshold.

The increase from $14.70 to $15.15 is required under state law, which adjusts the minimum wage each year to keep pace with inflation.

For many workers, the raise may still not cover the rising cost of living.

“Jobs around here are very scarce. A lot of part time. And the cost of living here is not comparable to the minimum wage standards,” said Keri, a local resident.

Ezequiel Urzua, a minimum wage worker, added, “I do think it’ll help people out. But then again, when that increases, other things will also increase.”

Some residents have their own ideas about what a fair wage should be.

“An appropriate amount for bare minimum wage around here should at least be 16 to $17 an hour,” Keri said.

Even with the raise, many say getting by day to day remains difficult.

Clinton Gomez, a gig worker, said, “I don’t even know how most people do it. I know they work multiple jobs, like I live in the city, like in Phoenix, and I remember working jobs there, and people are working multiple jobs just to like, survive.”

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – When four siblings become Eagle Scouts, you know it’s no ordinary family. It’s a legacy of leadership for a local family with four siblings and four Eagle Scouts.

“It’s the first time Yuma has had four scouts at one quart of honor with the Eagle Award,” said Eagle Scout Erin Little.

Local high school senior and oldest son Michael Goodwill partnered with the “Stop the Bleed” program for his Eagle Scout project. It’s an initiative teaching students and teachers how to use a tourniquet to stop life-threatening bleeding.

“We held a big assembly in the gym at Kofa, and about 400-500 kids showed up to take the training,” said Goodwill.

The district has since expanded the program to all its high schools. During most of his winter break, Goodwill also helped organize dozens of school safety buckets for his project which ares used in cases of emergencies.

Erin Little, his older sister, also making a local difference not only as Yuma’s second female eagle scout but also the recipient of the girl scout Gold Award and the first young woman West of the Mississippi to earn dual honors.

“My Gold Award started as just some idea to help make fidget pads, blankets, basically, for people with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Little.

She reached out to the community for a Sew-athon event.

“80 people showed up. We got I think 40 plus blankets done that day. For the ones that weren’t completely done, I finished up later and donated,” said Little.

Little also helped reorganize and clean out the storage closet at a local church as part of her Eagle Scout project.

All four siblings were recognized together at their joint Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

With their parents being long-time scouting volunteers their dad shares how proud he is of all of them.

“We’re at a lot of pride with that because I mean there’s a lot of work. It takes several years to get to that point and to complete the project. It’s a wonderful thing,” said father Gary Goodwill.

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Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A recent study by a University of Arizona assistant professor and extension specialist Ali T. Mohammed shares how to reduce aphid infestation in lettuce.

He suggests managing irrigation nitrogen can significantly lower aphid infestations in lettuce.

Aphids are small bugs that suck the sap out of plants.

Mohammed explains why aphids are typically attracted to lettuce.

“For the ambient conditions of the crop, it would be a good environment for the aphid to be there,” Mohammed says.

This research is important for Arizona’s two-billion dollar lettuce industry.

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